Green Street Smoked Meats112 N. Green St. 312-754-0431Upon arrival at this West Loop barbecue bar, send a friend to order pitchers at the bar while you order food at the counter; whoever gets done first can stake out one of 100 seats at the wood communal tables outside.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Splitting pitchers of beer and downing pulled pork with friends

Rosie's West Town Deli1021 N. Western Ave. 773-235-3354The alley-facing patio behind this deli and cafe on the border of Ukrainian Village and Humboldt Park seats about a dozen people.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Panini pitstops on the patio—think eggplant parmesan or balsamic-marinated mushrooms with provolone

Modern Asian Kitchen1924 W. Division St. 773-772-6251This Wicker Park restaurant serving Chinese-inspired fare makes the most of Division Street's extra-wide sidewalks with a 28-seat dining area. Flower baskets topping the fence railings are in the works.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Going for takeout but staying to soak up some fresh air

Old Crow Smokehouse3506 N. Clark St. 773-537-4452Moonshine cocktails and barbecue are the main attractions at this Wrigleyville bar and restaurant with a retractable roof over the dining room set to open as soon as the weather warms.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: All the benefits of a rooftop bar, minus that pesky stair climb

Blackfinn Ameripub65 W. Kinzie St. 312-836-0290A rounded patio enclosed by low stone walls offers seating for 60 people at this River North bar and restaurant, along with a view of TVs, a full food menu, beer tower availability and Sunday sangria specials.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Downtown suits making the most of summer Fridays

Lyfe Kitchen419 N. Clark St. 312-836-5933Heat lamps will kick-start al fresco dining season at this health-centric River North restaurant, cool weather be damned. Sidewalk seating along Clark Street will fit 28.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Catching some rays during a morning break for a mango-cucumber-lime smoothie

Spritz Burger3819 N. Broadway 773-868-9866Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, aka The Hearty Boys, partnered with pastry chef Gale Gand to turn their former Lakeview restaurant Hearty into this burger, soda and sweets shop; now, they're freshening up the 35-seat enclosed patio next to the restaurant with umbrellas and a new seating configuration.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Sipping housemade sodas and fizzy cocktails under strings of dangling lights

Packing House113 W. Randolph St. 312-929-4787This soon-to-open restaurant and bar takes the place of shuttered sports bar Market, but keeps all of the al fresco features, including the rooftop bar, 50-seat sidewalk cafe and 130-seat patio covered by a retractable roof.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Instagramming skyline selfies from the roof

The Brixton5420 N. Clark St. 773-961-7358The Andersonville restaurant and bar will open two outdoor spaces: a 35-seat sidewalk cafe and a 10-seat second-floor lounge with couches and a specialized menu of small plates, oysters and cocktails.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: A group dinner on the sidewalk cafe transitioning to a more intimate chat upstairs

Strings Ramen Shop2141 S. Archer Ave. 312-374-3450This Chinatown ramen shop is making the most of the skinny courtyard along the side of the building with outdoor seating for 24.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Forgoing a jacket and instead warming up with steaming noodle bowls on a brisk spring evening

County Barbeque1352 W. Taylor St. 312-929-2528The enclosed backyard patio at this Little Italy barbecue joint will be dressed up with string lights and a soon-to-be-painted mural.ETA: Open now weather permittingWe're picturing: Parking it at a picnic table and digging into a rack of ribs

Azzurra EnoTavola1467 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-278-5959Hanging planters and lights will add to the ambience of the 12-seat sidewalk cafe outside this Italian restaurant in Wicker Park.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Accidentally splurging at Milwaukee Avenue shops after a few glasses of wine

A Baker's Tale2127 W. Division St. 872-206-5581This Wicker Park bakery and coffee shop features a 24-seat dog-friendly sidewalk cafe.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Walking the dog to pick up a latte and a bacon-caramel-banana cream puff

Bottlefork441 N. Clark St. 312-955-1900If you don't have room for a full meal of chef Kevin Hickey's rich, indulgent dishes, stake out some space at the 18-seat snack bar out front flanked by flowers and an herb garden for a cocktail and a bite to eat. During the day, the full lunch menu is served. ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Devotees of Hickey's former fare at the Four Seasons mingling with happy hour revelers

Terrace on Clark77 W. Wacker Drive 312-374-3111This week-old bar and grill has added a 100-seat patio, making it one of the largest outdoor seating spaces in the Loop.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Working lunches and post-office happy hours

Blaze Pizza227 E. Ontario St. 312-255-1290 The second location (the first is in Lakeview) of this pizzeria features a 20-seat sidewalk cafe.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: An al fresco pizza party that won't break the bank

G&O459 N. Ogden Ave. 312-888-3367Opened earlier this year in the former Clutch space at the corner of Grand and Ogden avenues, G&O cocktail bar and restaurant features a triangle-shaped patio with seating for 30 and weekend brunch in the works.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Parking our bikes and making a cocktail pit stop en route to Randolph Street

Plein Air5751 S. Woodlawn Ave. 773-966-7531With a name that means "open air," this Hyde Park cafe features a 40-seat patio, including permanent communal tables and chairs in the style of a park, plus a canopy and planters and a bridge to the neighboring Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Tons of canoodling U. Chicago couples

Parts and Labor2700 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-360-7840The Logan Square bar and burger spot from the Boiler Room team has added a front patio on Sawyer Avenue with seating for 30, plus a monster rear patio that seats 140 at picnic tables under the shade of a tree and umbrellas.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: A backyard barbecue vibe, but with fernet shots

Bellwether Meeting House & Eatery302 E. Illinois St. 312-222-1800This Streeterville bar and restaurant features sidewalk seating is in the plans for along both Illinois Street and Columbus Drive.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Mixing up our Winesday tradition with half-price bottles of red and white wine

Stella Barra1954 N. Halsted St. 773-634-4101The 60-seat brick patio at this Lincoln Park pizzeria features hanging lights, a fireplace and a towering tree.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Splitting steaming-hot pizzas with pals under the shade of umbrella-topped tables

Beatrix519 N. Clark St. 312-284-1377Hanging ferns and boxwood planters line the six-table sidewalk cafe at this River North restaurant in the Aloft Hotel. If you're craving fresh air with a bit more shade, grab one of 36 seats at the wine bar, which will catch plenty of breeze thanks to its proximity to windows that open to the street.ETA: Open now, weather permittingWe're picturing: Nursing a pineapple-habanero margarita after work

Kinmont419 W. Superior St. 312-915-0011This sustainable seafood restaurant in River North is going to make the most of its home on a quiet stretch of Superior with a few tables on the sidewalk.ETA: MayWe're picturing: Toasting summer with chilled seafood platters and bottles of bubbly

Buzz Burgers, Barrels & Beer1935 W. Irving Park Road 773-880-9810The owners of this North Center bar and restaurant are planning a garden perched on top of the garage behind the building. Picture wrought iron seating for 40, vine-covered trellises, trees planted in half barrels and a mini-bar stocked with featured beers and sodas spiked with infused booze.ETA: Early summerWe're picturing: Pretending we're hosting our very own patio party

Leghorn Chicken959 W. Western Ave. 773-394-4444What's better than fried chicken sandwiches? Eating fried chicken sandwiches outside, of course. Look for a few tables on the sidewalk outside this Ukrainian Village shop once the weather breaks.ETA: Early summerWe're picturing: Relishing iced tea and Nashville hot chicken under the summer sun

Ancien Cycles688 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-914-0102This month-old West Town "hospitality cycling lounge," er, bike shop and cafe plans to add an adjacent bar called RollOut, as well as a 70-seat beer garden.ETA: Early summerWe're picturing: Sipping craft brews while waiting for a tune-up

Grand Tour2434 W. Montrose Ave. 872-208-7246This globally inspired North Center bar and restaurant will soon add an 80-seat sidewalk cafe along Artesian Avenue featuring planters growing herbs that might just make their way into your cocktail.ETA: Weekend of June 6We're picturing: Dropping off our sports-watching pals inside while we catch a breeze outside

Tete Charcuterie1114 W. Randolph St. 312-733-1178A 20- to 30-seat sidewalk cafe, potentially with awnings and lights to evoke a Parisian boucherie, will make this West Loop restaurant and lounge feel even more French.ETA: JuneWe're picturing: Playing hooky from work to fill up on cured meats and craft cocktails

Ronit Bezalel has seen just about everything on Chicago bike paths, but on her Monday morning commute she saw something that shocked even her: A silver Buick, almost unscathed, in the middle of the bike path.

A day after Trevor Noah was declared the new host of "The Daily Show," complete with the blessing of the exiting Jon Stewart, graphic tweets targeting women, Jews and Middle America are causing a social media backlash.